Blackburn Junior Hawkshttp://blackburnjuniorhawks.com
Welcome to the official home of the Blackburn Junior HawksThu, 13 Jul 2017 21:37:45 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4GB players join the coaching team for the first skills test sessionhttp://blackburnjuniorhawks.com/?p=666
Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:35:40 +0000http://blackburnjuniorhawks.com/?p=666

Our first Blackburn Junior Hawks skills test session saw assistance from guest coaches Nicole Jackson and Sarah Hutchinson. Both Nicole and Sarah are part of the Great Britain Women’s team who both secured a bronze medal at the recent world championships in South Korea in April 2017, following the pre-Olympic qualifiers in Kazakhstan in November 2016.

Nicole is an experienced goalkeeper with well over 12 years playing at a high level, icing for England and GB on numerous occasions. She will be playing overseas in Sweden next year for Goteborg Hockey Club. Sarah has been involved in the game for over 15 years also icing for England and GB throughout this time and is no stranger to senior hockey. Last year Sarah iced for the Altrincham Aces (men’s team) in Laidler conference D2 alongside her international duties.

Both Nicole and Sarah have completed these skills tests in their training camps for England and GB, so it was ideal opportunity to have this level of coaching down at Blackburn to assist. These 2 guest coaches will hopefully be the first of many more to assist with the Blackburn Junior Hawks.

Mini-League Blackburn is a small area cross-ice games league designed to help hockey players of all abilities enjoy our wonderful sport, develop greater hockey sense through game play and make new friends through hockey.

Mini-League Blackburn runs on Thursday nights at Blackburn Arena between 7pm and 8:30pm, for children in the U9s to U15s age groups. The cost of the session has been reduced, and is now £7.50. Assistant Director of Hockey, Mike Fletcher and his team of coaches run the session and work on games designed to develop young hockey players whilst maximizing enjoyment.

The sessions are open to all EIHA registered players at any club. Please come along to the session and enjoy the games

]]>A Change in Directorhttp://blackburnjuniorhawks.com/?p=629
Thu, 10 Nov 2016 23:25:26 +0000http://blackburnjuniorhawks.com/?p=629Blackburn Junior Hawks Ice Hockey Club today announces the departure of Matt Darlow as Director of Hockey, and the appointment of Scott Barnett to the same role for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.

Matt has made the decision to step down as Director of Hockey and the management committee would like to put on record our thanks for all his hard work during his time with us. His enthusiasm for development and growth has been the driving force behind the club during the past few months and we are sad to see his tenure come to an end.

Of his decision Matt said

“After taking stock of the past few weeks & now with a long physical recovery ahead I have taken the decision to step down as Director of Hockey with Blackburn Junior Ice Hockey Club in the best interests of the club.

I’d like to thank Matt Strong & the committee for showing trust in me & my ideas. I’ve enjoyed being around the committee & the supportive environment they provide at the club. My heartfelt thanks to the coaching staff at Blackburn, a fantastic group who have all the skills to help push Blackburn to the highest heights of British hockey at all levels.

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the young hockey players at the club, you all have the potential to be great in hockey & in life. I thank the parents for your support & for encouraging your kids to enjoy the sport they love also.

Congratulations to Scott on taking the Director of Hockey role forward & doing what I know will be a fantastic job.

It’s been a pleasure & I thank every one of you for your belief, support & encouragement. I said it when I arrived & I’ll say it as I leave, Blackburn Junior Ice Hockey Club will become one of the superpowers of hockey in the UK in the next 3-5 years.

Once again, thank you to you all, an experience I’ll never forget”

In light of this decision, and in order to continue to development of the club, Blackburn Junior Hawks have moved quickly to appoint an equally charismatic and experienced coach in Scott Barnett. Scott is a product of the Blackburn Junior Development System, representing Blackburn at Northern Conference for 5 years, and has iced for the Blackburn Hawks, Flintshire Freeze and Bradford Bulldogs. Scott is currently the Head Coach of the Blackburn Eagles, transforming the fortunes of this team from the division whipping boys to top of the table championship contenders. However, Scott’s first coaching role was as Blackburn Hawks u18s lead coach and he has a passion for developing quality players within the Blackburn system. The committee are confident we have appointed the right coach to define the sporting direction and development of the club in order to ensure we continue towards our goal of being the best development club in the country.

On his appointment, Scott had this to say

“I am looking forward to getting started in the new role. Matt had made a good start this season building on the foundations put in place by Iain Hanson, I hope to be able to continue to help the club grow and develop. Blackburn junior development has a good history and has developed a number of outstanding hockey players. I will enjoy working with the coaches to help develop Eagles and Hawks of the future”

Scott will start work as Director of Hockey immediately, taking control of all sporting activities within the Blackburn Junior Hawks and Blackburn Eagles and working with the Blackburn Hawks in order to produce high calibre players for all levels.

Blackburn Junior Hawks Ice Hockey Club would like to reassure its members that Director of Hockey, Matt Darlow currently remains in post at the club.

With his departure from the senior team, the Blackburn Hawks, much speculation has surfaced regarding his role with the juniors. We would like to use this statement to reaffirm our support for Matt, and the work he is doing with the juniors. Matt has been a very proactive member of our management committee, working tirelessly to give our young Ice Hockey players all the opportunities to develop within our organisation, and the wider Ice Hockey community. He has already had a positive effect on all of our players, and the way they play the game.

As I am sure everyone can understand, this is a difficult time for Matt, and we have given him time to think over what is best for him. He will continue with his daily duties whilst coming to a decision on how to move forward. As a management team, we all hope that this decision is to continue with the work he has started here with us. We encourage all our members to send Matt messages of support so he knows what a difference he is making to our children, and how he can continue with this in the longer term.

With the departure of Juniors Director of Hockey, Matt Darlow from the senior team yesterday many of our parents have concerns over the initiatives that have been put in place for progression within the club. Specifically, the Hawks Prospect Programme and its future has been the subject of speculation. The Hawks management have informed us that the Hawks Prospect Programme will continue as normal, and the routes for progression within the club is still the focus of much work and attention. Anthony Kinder will now take charge of the Hawks Prospect Programme and expects business as normal. More information will follow in due course…

Blackburn Junior Hawks are excited to announce two important new roles aimed at developing the club further. These roles are Media and Communications Officer, and Sponsorship and Fundraising Officer. Reporting to the Recruitment and Development Officer, and the Treasurer respectively these two new roles will focus on supplementing our team of volunteers in order to further develop the club. For further particulars please click on the following links in order to download the job relevant descriptions.

In addition to the above new roles, the club are also advertising for a new Child Protection Officer. Our current CPO has decided to concentrate on his duties as Treasurer, and so we are looking for someone new to take on this challenge and develop the club further. The job description for this role can be downloaded at the following link

Blackburn Junior Hawks are delighted to announce that Assistant Director of Hockey, Mike Fletcher, and u11s Lead Coach Adam Dadswell have been selected to be Northern Conference Coaches for the upcoming season. Being selected to represent the Northern Conference at any level is an honour and a privilege and we are proud that two of our coaches are now part of this setup.

This is a fantastic achievement by both coaches and is an important first step for our club in moving towards our objectives of developing elite level coaches who can then develop and improve the players at our club dramatically in the coming 3-5 years. We are all extremely proud to announce Mike & Adam as part of the Northern Conference coaching staff for the 2016/17 season.

On his appointment to the Northern Conference u13s, Mike Fletcher said

“It’s a great honour to be asked to be part of the northern conference set up. I have been involved with hockey since I was 14 and always wanted to be part of this and now one of my many goals have been achieved. This year has been a great year so far starting with being asked to be the assistant director of hockey in Blackburn and now this. Big things are happening right now and it’s a privilege to be asked to represent the north and Blackburn. I can’t wait to get started and the season underway.”

Adam Dadswell had this to say about his role lead coach of Northern Conference u11s

“When I first heard the news that I had been selected as the Head coach for under 11’s at Northern conference, I was honoured to have been chosen for such a privilege. It is fantastic to be able to represent Blackburn, as part of the conference set up, along with Michael Fletcher and be able to work with other coaches from around the North honing the skills of our elite players.

As a coach, I look to continually improve and this is a great opportunity to develop myself further whilst coming in to my 5th year of coaching at a club level.”

Matt Darlow, Director of Hockey at Blackburn Junior Hawks commented

“When I arrived at Blackburn one of the first plans and outcomes we discussed was to ensure our coaches could get the opportunity to test and prove themselves at the higher levels of Conference, England & Great Britain hockey.

All our coaching staff have shown what great coaches they are so far at club level so when Mike Fletcher & Adam Dadswell wanted to move further it was an easy recommendation for me to make to Andy Brown, Northern Conference Mentor.

Andy has shown his faith in selecting Mike and Adam as staff which will no doubt be repaid by both of them as they strive to grow as coaches in the hockey world. These are exciting times at Blackburn and they will only get more exciting as coaches like Mike and Adam are given the exposure to showcase their skills at higher & higher levels.”

We are sure that everyone at Blackburn wishes Mike and Adam good luck for the upcoming season, both at club level and now with Northern Conference.

Blackburn Hawks u9s travelled to Sheffield last weekend to take part in the annual u9s tournament. Short benched but full of heart, they conquered all, remained unbeaten and won the event. Well done to the triumphant u9s.

Tournament Report below, courtesy of Dane Shorrock

At the start of the 2015-2016 season we were unable to register an under 9s team due to insufficient numbers but by the end of the season we had enough players to attend the tournament at Sheffield.

We didn’t have a netminder and Sheffield kindly said they would provide us with one on the day and also an extra outskater. On travelling to Sheffield we were informed of a player who had been taken ill, we then needed another skater thankfully we had 2 young skaters from Peterborough and Chelmsford and the promised netminder was from Peterborough too.

Our first game against Milton Keynes was a close match but we managed to get the 2 points from a 2-2 draw. After a short break we were up against the young Sheffield team who put up a valiant fight but our good hockey sense and skating skills shone through for a 12-0 win. Next in our sights was Deeside and a win against them would put us in second overall with 2 games left to play. We opened up the score early taking a 2-0 lead but Deeside fought back to 2-1 and then coach asked the lads to dig in and secured a 6-1 win.

After break for lunch we were up against a strong, physical Kirkcaldy side who came out fighting but the resilience of the team gave the physical game back and walked away with a 5-0 victory. This left only one game against Solent and Gosport which if we win would put us top of the league and into the final. The start of the game was a show of talent from both teams and with Solent not losing a game it made for a nail-biting last match. We opened the scoring with 2 quick goals which was cut to 1 with a resilient fightback from Solent pushing our lead to 1. Our boys dug deep to put another goal in the net to put the score to 3-1. Solent, not wanting to give up on the game put another past us taking it to 3-2 with 3 minutes remaining, and with a very close end to end game we managed to hold them off for a 3-2 victory going into the final unbeaten.

The final was then Blackburn Junior Hawks vs Solent and Gosport.

On to the final, both teams picked up where they left off and both creating chances but we opened the scoring with 2 goals in quick succession from the second line. Solent quickly replied with 2 goals to draw up the game. The first line defended well against a strong first line for Solent leaving our stronger second line to cement the win with 2 more goals, securing the under 9s place in history as the Under 9s Sheffield tournament champions with a 4-2 win. A massive show of thanks to the 3 borrowed players who gave everything for us on the day. Thanks to all the coaches involved and all the parents for bringing the kids, to allow us bring home the silverware.

Blackburn Junior Hawks are delighted to be able to announce Mike Fletcher as the clubs Assistant Director of Hockey for the 2016 – 17 Season.

As part of the clubs new sporting structure, the Assistant Director of Hockey will report to the Director of Hockey and help define and implement strategy changes the will benefit members whilst satisfying the day to day sporting needs of the organisation.

Mike has spent the last two seasons at Blackburn after moving from Bradford to play for the Blackburn Eagles in 2014. Already having a wealth of coaching experience from his time in Bradford, Mike was asked by then Head Coach Iain Hanson to help out with the u18s Junior Hawks, and more recently to be the lead coach for the u20s. Mike has gone from strength to strength and his influence is now felt on more than just the u18s and u20s, with his enthusiasm and desire to win being felt across all age groups.

Mike is the first appointment by new Director of Hockey, Matt Darlow. On Michaels appointment, Matt had this to say…

“When I was appointed Director of Hockey at Blackburn it was important to me to find an Assistant Director to support the ongoing work here. Having met Mike early in my tenure here it didn’t take me long to see the respect he has among the players & staff he works with so my decision to ask him was simple.

Mike & I share the same purpose in wanting to help the people around us be better in all areas of hockey & life while our ideals in helping players develop technically, tactically, mentally & physically match up also. Mike is a very calm guy who thinks about the game & wants to grow even further as a coach which is exactly the type of character I want to work alongside.

I’m excited to work with Mike & look forward to implement our strategies for improvement together.”

On his new appointment, Mike says

“It’s been great to be part of the Blackburn family. I’ve been made so welcome since my move from Bradford two years ago. When the opportunity to be the clubs new Assistant Director of Hockey came along, I knew it was something I would like to take on. Speaking with Matt Darlow we already see eye to eye on where we are heading as a club and what we need to change to progress at all age groups. I’m looking forward to working closely with the other coaches within the club to produce better athletes

During the last 12 months I’ve seen our players progress as athletes and individuals. All of the coaching staff are great and hungry for the club to succeed no matter what it takes. I’ve already had many conversations with Matt about the upcoming season and expectations. I can’t wait to get started and the season underway”

Mike has officially taken up his role and started preparations for the upcoming season.